'We have decided that the camp near you shall at once be fortified. It is expedient to execute works of this kind in peace rather than in war. 'The true meaning of _expeditio_ shows that the leader of a military expedition should have an unencumbered mind. 'Do you therefore second our efforts by building good private houses, in which you will be sheltered, while the enemy (whenever he comes) will be in the worst possible quarters[228], and exposed to all the severity of the weather.' [Footnote 228: 'Durissimae mansiones.'] 18. KING THEODORIC TO DOMITIANUS AND WILIAS. [Sidenote: Statute of Limitations.] 'It is right that you, who are administering justice to the nations, should learn and practise it yourselves. We therefore hasten to reply to the question which you have asked [concerning the length of time that is required to bestow a title by prescription]. If any Barbarian usurper have taken possession of a Roman farm since the time when we, through God's grace, crossed the streams of the Isonzo, when first the Empire of Italy received us[229], and if he have no documents of title [sine delegatoris cujusquam pyctacio] to show that he is the rightful holder, then let him without delay restore the property to its former owner. But if he shall be found to have entered upon the property before the aforesaid time, since the principle of the thirty years' prescription comes in, we order that the petition of the plaintiff shall be dropped. [Footnote 229: 'Ex quo, Deo propitio, Sonti fluenta transmisimus ubi primum Italiae nos suscepit imperium.'] [Sidenote: Crimes of violence.] 'The assailant, as well as the murderer, of his brother, is to be driven forth from the kingdom, that the serenity of our Commonwealth may not be troubled with any such dark spots.' [Theodoric crossed the Isonzo, August, 489, and as I understand this letter, it was written somewhere about 518, and he therefore lays down a convenient practical rule: 'No dispossession which occurred before I crossed the Isonzo shall be enquired into; any which have happened since, may.' But the letter is a very difficult one, and I am bound to say that Dahn's interpretation ('Koenige der Germanen' iii. 11, 12) does not agree with mine.] 19. KING THEODORIC TO SATURNINUS AND VERBUSIUS, VIRI SUBLIMES. [Sidenote: The rights of the Fiscus.] 'The _Fiscus_ is to have its rights, but we do not wish to oppress our people. Let moderation be observed in all things. 'When you receive the petition of the Curiales of Adriana, if anyone who is able to pay, stubbornly and impudently refuses to contribute to the _Fiscus Gothorum_, you are to compel him to do so. But let off the really poor man who is unable to contribute.' 20. KING THEODORIC TO ALBINUS AND ALBIENUS, VIRI ILLUSTRES AND PATRICIANS. [Sidenote: Circus quarrels. Patronage of the Greens. Rivalry between Helladius and Theodorus.]